VAC Signature MKIIa pre-amp


I wanted to share that I received my VAC pre. a few days ago, the fit and finish is top notch (I got mine in silver/chrome combo including a nice simple metal remote, not plastic like allot of others.

I have owned along with being very fortunate to have had many world class pre's in my set-ups over the years, ARC, MBL, VTL, JRD, DARTZEEL, BAT, to name a few and presently own a ARC REF3 and the VAC.

I will say in my own experience and placing this specific VAC pre-amp straight out of the box into my system had me saying "this is really nice, I am hearing huge positive sonics going on never mind the stage presence right across the entire spectrum and know from past experience that it will only continue during break-in process, this is a welcomed surprise and very nice!" This has never happened before, my last pre that I had for audition was the new ARC REF5 and in my set-up it did not offer such, it was well broken-in.

The VAC has now been in my set-up for a few days and on 24/7, all I can say is this sure is a whole new world and the differences are all very positive across the board, my MBL's are very happy!

I'll comment more when I have put some hours in.

Current set-up;

MBL 101E speakers
VAC pre as above mentioned with phono
Bryston 28 Squared mono blocks
Torus RM20, one for each mono block
MBL 1621a transport
ACCUSTIC ARTS HYBRID TUBE DAC w/different tubes
TW RAVEN ONE PHONO
Graham Phantom MKII arm
Dynavector XV-1s cart

Cables; Stealth through out, I have tried allot of others and I'm very happy with this product line, I find myself no longer looking I'm off the mari-go-round

-Two runs of Dream cables to the speakers for true bi-wire
-Indra's with latest connectors, XLR's through out
-Dream power cables through out
-Hyperphono for arm connection
-Sextet AES with latest XLR connectors

I have only been using my REDBOOK CD so far, I also have a Audia Flight One phono that I'll be able to compare to the one built-in the VAC pre. and have a couple others to compare but this will be farther in the fall time and I'm looking forward to it.

dev

Showing 1 response by jmcgrogan2

Dev, congrats on the new preamp, I'm jealous. ;)
I also agree with you on Stealth cables, they are stunning. The best I have heard in my system/room. I'm now trying to talk myself into buying a pair of Dream Petite speaker cables. Obviously I'd love to own the full Dream, but even the Dream Petite is a stretch for my budget.

Knghifi, I'm a tube amp guy now, but when I was a SS amp user, I found the shortest warm up was no warm up, meaning leave the amp(s) on 24/7 for best sound. I would unplug if I was out of town, but IMHO, SS takes much longer than tubes to warm up, I'd say 12-24 hours to sound their best. So when listening everyday, I'd just leave them on 24/7. Tube amps take about 30 minutes to sound their best, so I turn them off when not listening. Just my $0.02.

Cheers,
John